STATE
POISON CENTER*
Policy:
The state poison control
center should be utilized by the 9-1-1 center and the responding EMS agency to
obtain assistance with the prehospital triage and treatment of patients who have
a known or suspected poisoning.
Purpose:
·
Improve the care of patients with
poisonings, envenomations, and environmental/biochemical terrorism exposures in
the prehospital setting.
·
Provide for the most timely an
appropriate level of care to the patient, including the decision to transport or
treat on the scene.
·
Integrate the State Poison Center
into the prehospital response for hazardous materials and biochemical terrorism
responses
Procedure:
1.
The 9-1-1 call center will identify and complete key questions as per the
“Overdose/Poisoning, Animal Bites/Attacks, or Carbon Monoxide/Inhalation/HazMat”
emergency medical dispatch protocol; dispatch the appropriate EMS resources;
and/or directly contact the State Poison Center for consultation.
2.
If no immediate life threat or need to transport is identified, EMS
personnel may conference the patient/caller with the Poison Center Specialist at
the States Poison Center. If possible, dispatch personnel should remain on-line
during the conference evaluation.
3.
The Poison Center Specialist will evaluate the exposure and make
recommendations regarding the need for on-site treatment and/or hospital
transport in a timely manner. If dispatch personnel are not on-line, the
Specialist will recontact the 9-1-1 center and communicate these
recommendations.
4.
If the patient is determined to need EMS transport, the Poison Center
Specialist will contact the receiving hospital and provide information regarding
the poisoning including treatment recommendations. EMS may contact medical
control for further instructions or to discuss transport options.
5.
If the patient is determined not to require EMS transport, personnel will
give the phone number of the patient/caller to the Poison Center Specialist. The
specialist will initiate a minimum of one follow-up call to the patient/caller
to determine the status of the patient.
6.
Minimal information that should be obtained from the patient for the
States Poison Center includes:
·
Patient name
& age
·
Substance(s)
involved
·
Time of exposure
·
Any treatment
given
·
Signs &
symptoms
7.
Minimal information which should be provided to the State Poison Center
for mass gatherings, including biochemical terrorism and HazMat includes:
·
Substance(s)
involved
·
Time of exposure
· Any treatment given
·
Signs &
symptoms